Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

[CybrGamr]

I am about 120 pages into the first book - The Last Kingdom - and I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is quite interesting to see how the Vikings lived and raided.

Has anyone else read this trilogy? How accurate is the author with his facts?

((It's got me excited to play MTW tonight as the Vikings... I have been on hiatus from Total War as Civ4 has dominated my time...))

[Tamur]

I've seen it but hadn't really paid attention. Guess I'll have to give this one a go.

Another I would VERY highly recommend -- as in, it is the ultimate good read with astounding historical accuracy, beautiful prose, great battles, and really envelopes you in the period -- is Röde Orm by Frans Bengtsson. It's found in English under the title "The Long Ships". It's an old one, published in the 50's, so you may have a bit of a time finding it. But well worth the search.

Thanks for the lead on the Cornwell series!

[sapi]

It's a very good series, and well worth reading.

Another free plug to the slightly-historically-accurate Troy series by David Gemmel - it's just a pity he died while writing the third book

[Owen Glyndwr]

I didn't know he had a saxon trilogy. I read the Archer's Tale trilogy, and Stonehenge. I almost finished the arthur series but stopped about 100 pages before the end of the last book, it was getting a little depressing. I didn't want to see Derfel lose his hand, Merlin die somehow, and Arthur disappear. Although I have to admit, I would really like to have seen Mordred and Lancelot put in their places.

[Don Esteban]

It's a very good series, and well worth reading.

Another free plug to the slightly-historically-accurate Troy series by David Gemmel - it's just a pity he died while writing the third book

I've read the first book and liked it but I'd overlooked the fact that he'd died before completing it. has someone else finished it off or something?

Also, I have read the Saxon trilogy (well the first book) and it's not a bad read but I preffered his Arthurian trilogy which sounded realistic to me. didn't think much of the Archer's Tale though.....

[CybrGamr]

I enjoyed "The Last Kingdom" (the first book). I finished it a couple of days ago. "The Pale Horseman" picks up right where book one left off (the day after). I like the battle scenes. I also find I am sympathetic to the main character - Uhtred.

I have them out from the library, and with the new one being a very new release, I will have no chance to renew it so I have to make short work of book 2 and 3.

Once I have finished and "Lords of the North", I will either try the Arthur series or the Sharpe series...

[sapi]

@Owen - how's stonehenge - i've got it sitting in my cupboard (family member brought it, i guess) but have never got around to reading it. If you say it's good, i'll have to.

@Don Esteban - i believe that his wife is finishing the final book

@CybrGamr - I highly reccomend the Sharpe series

[Don Esteban]

@Don Esteban - i believe that his wife is finishing the final book

makes sense, I think she was his editor

[CybrGamr]

@CybrGamr - I highly reccomend the Sharpe series

Where should I start - Sharpe's Eagle/Sharpe's Gold (written first) or Sharpe's Tiger (chronologically first)? Does it matter?

[CybrGamr]

How is Gemmell's Troy series? Well written? Historically accurate? I have read some of the Jon Shannow and Legend books...

Has anyone read Steven Pressfield? How does he compare to Cornwell? Where would be a good place to strat with him?

[Grey_Fox]

Where should I start - Sharpe's Eagle/Sharpe's Gold (written first) or Sharpe's Tiger (chronologically first)? Does it matter?

Try "Sharpe's Rifles" first, it's the first of the Peninsular War books chronologically and one of my favourites.

Other Napeoleonic Wars books I'd recommend would be Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey/Maturin series. They're excellent.

[Don Esteban]

How is Gemmell's Troy series? Well written? Historically accurate? I have read some of the Jon Shannow and Legend books...

Well written? yes if you like Gemmells style (which I do) but as to historical accuracy I would have to say that probably not very accurate at all. But then since we have very few historical records from the period who really knows.....

[Tamur]

re: Steven Pressfield, I've read Tides of War, Gates of Fire, and The Last Amazon. Gates of Fire is by far the best of the lot, with The Last Amazon coming in second due to some really nice detail and interesting theory in the Athens connections. Tides of War is, to me, a Gates of Fire without the drive and power to it. I got about 200 pages in and just gave up -- didn't find it dragged me onward like the other two.

[Martok]

re: Steven Pressfield, I've read Tides of War, Gates of Fire, and The Last Amazon. Gates of Fire is by far the best of the lot, with The Last Amazon coming in second due to some really nice detail and interesting theory in the Athens connections. Tides of War is, to me, a Gates of Fire without the drive and power to it. I got about 200 pages in and just gave up -- didn't find it dragged me onward like the other two.

I *love* Tides of War; even Gates of Fire comes in second for me (albeit a very close second). While it probably helps that it was the first Pressfield book I read, I think its main attraction for me is that Tides has a more tragic ending, which appeals to me in a slightly macabre sort of way. In truth, though, I was really sucked in by both novels, and they occupy a permanent spot on my bookshelf.

Pressfield's follow-up effort, Virtues of War (the fictional autobiography of Alexander the Great), is....decent. It's not bad, but it just doesn't grip me the same way the other two novels do. I probably would've been extremely impressed with it had I never read any of his books prior. I think Gates and Tides spoiled me, however.

[The Foolish Horseman]

@CybrGamr - I highly reccomend the Sharpe series

Yeh they are an absolutely amazing series of books and tv shows.....i have in another thread talked about them often

[Owen Glyndwr]

Stonehenge was great. Just as much intrigue as every other Cornwell book. the one battle, was quite entertaining, they offer quite a lot of answers, and the ending is kind of strange. I consider it a must read. As with every other one of his books, it'll keep ya reading from styart to finish, and you'll finish it in a few days.

[sapi]

Okay

I'll read it once i finish with some other rubbish book i found.

I don't expect it to last longer than 2 days if it like it though :(

[CybrGamr]

Well written? yes if you like Gemmells style (which I do) but as to historical accuracy I would have to say that probably not very accurate at all. But then since we have very few historical records from the period who really knows.....

I do like his style so I will look for the first book. I am having a hard time with a Mass market paperback edition in the States - it seems they only released it in a trade paperback (at $15). I noticed the same with the Sharpe books and the Saxon books.

It's bad enough paperbacks are up to $8, I don't need to be spending $15...

[sapi]

Get it out of your local library?

[CountArach]

I read the first one, and I enjoyed it, but I just can't get into the time period enough to warrant buying the rest.

I must say that it was a good read though.

[Dave1984]

I would like to say that his "Saxon Trilogy" doesn't appear to be a trilogy at all, even if it was originally intended to be, as Lords of the North seemed to end with alot unsaid/undone and in the Historical note at the end of that book Cornwell mentions that Uhtred will need Serpent-Breath again, the same way as at the end of the Sharpe books he says that Sharpe and Harper will march again- a comment I have always taken to mean that he is planning to write more for the series.

Ah, found this on Wikipedia:

According to Cornwell's replies on his website bulletin board, the series will not be a trilogy like his other medieval works, but will have 3 or 4 more sequels: "I'm not sure how many there will be - perhaps seven? maybe eight?"

[CybrGamr]

I've just started "Lords of the North". I like Uhtred so I wouldn't mind a continuation after this trilogy...

[sapi]

I actually missed the reference to a trilogy, but you're right - there's plenty of scope to continue.

[CybrGamr]

Thanks for the suggestions on Pressfield and Gemmell. I just got "Gates of Fire" and "Lord of the Silver Bow" out of the library. Once I finish "Lords of the North", I will hit Gemmell first.

I don't mind using the library, but I prefer to own the books (especially if I find I like them). Most fiction is released in mass market paperback format, so I'm not sure why many of these historical fiction novels were not.

[Dutch_guy]

It's a very good series, and well worth reading.

Another free plug to the slightly-historically-accurate Troy series by David Gemmel - it's just a pity he died while writing the third book

Gah, I thought he died after book one !

Hmm, it seems I'm going to have to find book two now, and hope someone somehow manages to write book three in the same fashion as book 1 !

[Solon of Athens]

It isn't a triology to my knowledge, I'm quite sure he is writing the next book for release this/next year. it is a very good series so far though, I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Caerfanan]

Well, I'll give Cornwell's a shot then, seing three "org jedis" speaking of it.



If you like the 13th century period there's an author called Peter Berling (german?) who wrote a serie of five books mostly about the templars and the Cathares in France. Don't know the English titles though.

[CybrGamr]

I just finished "Lords of the North" - an excellent read. More great new characters were added to the story and the door is wide open for more books (the author is pretty clear Uhtred will return)...

[ShadesWolf]

So when did he die?

[CybrGamr]

I just read on Cornwell's website that the fourth book in this series, "The Saxon Chronicles", is due to be published in October of this year (he is hoping for both the UK and US). No title was listed. More Uhtred this year.

I also see the series is planned for at least 6 books.